A Brazilian judge has ordered British singer Adele’s song Million Years Ago to be pulled worldwide, including on all streaming platforms, due to an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.
The injunction threatens the Brazilian branches of Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music, Adele’s record labels, with an $8,000 fine for every act of non-compliance.
The order was issued on Friday by Judge Victor Torres of Rio de Janeiro’s 6th Commercial Court. It calls for the immediate removal of the song globally until the case progresses further.
The judge’s decision states that Sony Music and Universal Music must stop “immediately and globally, from using, reproducing, editing, distributing, or commercializing the song *Million Years Ago*, by any modality, means, physical or digital support, streaming, or sharing platform.”
Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes filed the case, claiming that Adele’s 2015 song plagiarized his samba track *Mulheres* (Women), which was made famous in 1995 by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila.
Fredimio Trotta, the lawyer representing Geraes, called the decision a major victory for Brazilian music. “It is a landmark for Brazilian music, which has often been copied to create successful international hits,” he said.
Trotta added that they will work to alert radio stations, television broadcasters, and streaming services worldwide to ensure the court ruling is followed.
Geraes is seeking royalties, $160,000 in damages, and songwriting credit for Million Years Ago.
“This decision sends a strong message to foreign artists and labels,” Trotta said. “International producers and singers who have Brazilian music on their radar for potential use will think twice.”
While Sony Music Entertainment Brazil declined to comment, Universal Music Brazil has yet to respond to the ruling.
This is not the first time Adele’s *Million Years Ago* has faced plagiarism claims. In 2015, Turkish fans accused the song of sounding similar to *Acılara Tutunmak* (Clinging to Pain), a 1985 song by Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya.
Kaya’s widow dismissed the allegations at the time, saying it was unlikely a global artist like Adele would plagiarize her late husband’s work.
Brazil is a member of the Berne Convention, which ensures international copyright protection for creative works.
